"Well," said the Queen with a smile, "De Blenau, you must be satisfied now. Nay, be not ashamed, Pauline; it is all right, and pure, and natural." "I am not ashamed, Madam," replied Pauline, seeming to gain courage from the touch of her lover; "I have done De Blenau wrong in ever doubting one so good and so noble as he is: but he will forgive me now, I know, and I will never do him wrong again." I need not proceed farther with all this. De Blenau and Pauline enjoyed one or two moments of unmingled happiness, and then the Queen reminded them that he had yet to dress for his journey, and to prepare his servants to accompany the carriages. This, however, was soon done, and in less than half an hour De Blenau rejoined the party in the saloon of the Palace. "Now, De Blenau," said the Queen, as soon as she saw him, "you are prepared for travelling at all points. For once be ruled, and instead of accompanying me to Chantilly, make the best of your way to Franche Comté, or to Flanders, for I much fear that the Cardinal has not yet done with you. I will take care of your interests while you are gone, even better than I would my own; and I promise you that as soon as you are in safety, Madame De Beaumont and Pauline shall follow you, and you may be happy surely, though abroad, for a few short years, till Richelieu's power or his life be passed away." De Blenau smiled. "Nay, nay," replied he, "that would not be like a gallant Knight and true, either to desert my Queen or my Lady Love. Besides, I am inclined to believe that this journey to Chantilly bodes us good rather than harm. For near three months past, the King has been there almost alone with Cinq Mars, who is as noble a heart as e'er the world produced, and is well affected towards your Majesty.--So I am looking forward to brighter days." "Well, we shall see," said the Queen, with a doubtful shake of the head. "You are young, De Blenau, and full of hopes--all _that_ has passed away with me.--Now let us go. I have ordered the carriages to wait at the end of the terrace, and we will walk thither:--perhaps it may be the last time I shall ever see my favourite walk; for who knows if any of us will ever return?" With these melancholy anticipations, the Queen took the arm of Madame de Beaumont, and, followed by the rest, led the way to the terrace, from which was to be seen the vast and beautiful view extending from St. Germain's over Paris to the country beyond, taking in all the windings of the river Seine, with the rich woods through which it flowed. The light mists of an autumnal morning still hung about the various dells and slopes, softening, but not obscuring the landscape; and every now and then the sunbeams would catch upon a tower or a spire in the distant landscape, and create a glittering spot amidst the dark brown woods round about.